The best hair growth products of 2024, according to experts

Cost: $35 | Product type: Foam, shampoo, conditioner | Best for: Thinning hair | Key ingredients: Proprietary blend of proven hair growth helpers, peppermint, nettle, hops 

Nioxin's System Kits offer a unique approach to shedding and thinning hair with minoxidil-infused products with antioxidants in the form of shampoo, conditioner and foam to ensure you're getting the best overall treatment in one easy-to-use kit. The company offers six different system kits, each tailored for specialized needs, including products to help with natural hair, bleached hair and color-treated hair. The Nioxin System 2 regimen reduces hair fall due to breakage, strengthens the hair and delivers a healthy shine to natural hair while refreshing the scalp, with options for color-treated hair. There are also trial sizes if you want to test the system before making a large investment. 

Cost: $48 (Rogaine.com) | Type of product: Foam | Best for: Thinning and shedding | Key Ingredient: 5% Minoxidil 

Rogaine is quite possibly the most recognizable and well-known brand when it comes to hair loss products, but there are two very good reasons for that: it's been around for three decades and its minoxidil products were the first to gain FDA-approval in the hair growth industry. According to Dr. Amy Taub, a board-certified dermatologist in Illinois, not only is minoxidil the oldest established remedy, it is still the number one product used today by both men and women to promote hair growth. This 5% minoxidil foam penetrates the scalp to revive hair follicles and increase protein production in the cells to help regrow stronger, thicker hair. Even though Rogaine is often thought of as only having the best hair growth products for men, the company also makes great minoxidil-based products for women. Clinical studies showed the product helped regrow hair in over 80% of women in as little as 12 weeks, with visible results after continuous daily use after 24 weeks.

The formula is unscented, and unlike messy liquid drops, it comes in an easy-to-use aerosol foam that you only need to apply once a day — your hair can be wet or dry. The only downside is the side effects that come with medicated minoxidil hair loss treatments, including (while rare) irritated skin, rash, inflammation or soreness on the scalp at hair follicles, and headaches. If you are in panic mode over your hair loss, this might just be the best product for you, as long as you can dodge the rare, yet possible, side effects. That said, since it is a "medicated" solution, a trip to your doctor first to ensure it's safe for you to use may be a good bet.

Cost: $34 (Rogaine) | Product Type: Topical solution | Best for: Pattern baldness, all-over regrowth | Key ingredient: 5% Minoxidil, botanical extracts, alpha-hydroxy acid

Rogaine has been an industry leader in producing effective hair growth products for more than three decades. In fact, it was the first company to gain FDA approval for its products due to numerous clinical trials showing successful hair regrowth. The Rogaine Men's 5% minoxidil treatment is the number one dermatologist-recommended brand, and endless reviews singing Rogaine's praises are a testament to the product. Of course, being a medicated minoxidil treatment, side effects such as skin irritation, rash and headaches should be considered before use. 

You will need to consistently apply a full dropper of the product twice a day to the affected area to see results — if treating for hereditary hair loss you'll need to use the product indefinitely to prevent hair from returning to shedding and thinning. That all said, if fast, effective hair regrowth is your goal, this is one of the best OTC products out there.

Product type: Oil | Best for: Promoting density and hair regrowth | Key Ingredients: 30 essential oils and biotin | Cost: $12

Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil is not only a viral phenomenon, but it's also a favorite amongst AOL staffers, including myself. I love and use this hair oil and recommend it to all who ask me what they should use to help with hair loss and thinning. First and foremost, it's formulated with all-natural organic ingredients that are safe for all skin- and hair-types, yet is still incredibly effective, so I never have to worry about sending family and friends down a path riddled with side-effects and wasted time and money. Second, rosemary oil is a hair-growth powerhouse that has been clinically proven in multiple studies to work as well as minoxidil. In fact, one major study found that rosemary oil not only worked as well as minoxidil at promoting hair growth, the participants in both the minoxidil control group and the rosemary control group experienced the same amount of hair growth. The study also found that participants in the rosemary group stuck with the treatment longer than the minoxidil group.

The oil works by creating an all-over healthy scalp environment for hair to grow, starting with nourishing the scalp, hair follicles and hair shaft root to tip while also reducing inflammation and increasing vasodilation, which is a fancy word for opening blood vessels and promoting blood flow and circulation, which has also been proven to help promote hair growth. The most important thing you must do to see results is stick with it for at least a few months, with application at least every other day. This is the case for all hair growth products, since hair can only grow so fast. If you would like to learn more about hair oils, read our round-up on the best hair oils. 

Pro tip: For those with fine hair, rub one to two drops between just the fingertips and massage straight into the scalp for at least a minute. This will minimize excess oil transfer from your palms to hair and leave your hair with extra volume. While some feel the rosemary and mint scent is a little too strong, I love it!

Cost: $24.50 | Product type: Shampoo | Best for: All-over regrowth | Key ingredients: Biotin, caffeine, saw palmetto

Keeps thickening shampoo is designed to help stop hair from thinning and restore it from the first wash. If this is your only hair loss treatment, great; if you're also using another hair loss treatment, this can help enhance your results. The specially formulated shampoo for thinning hair uses biotin, caffeine, green tea and saw palmetto to help stimulate your scalp and gently cleanse it in the process. While you're likely not buying a shampoo for the smell alone, it doesn't hurt that it has an invigorating minty scent. There's also a coordinating thickening conditioner.

Something to know: While biotin has long been used for hair growth and can be found as the key ingredient in products from hair serums and oils to supplements and shampoos, there are studies that say more research is needed to declare biotin as a silver bullet answer to hair regrowth.

Cost: $19 per bottle at Hers or $25 for two bottles at Amazon | Product type: Shampoo | Best for: All hair types, especially those with thinning and loss | Key Ingredients: Biotin, saw palmetto, pumpkin seed oil 

I was skeptical that a shampoo alone could make a difference, but by the end of the bottle, I was so pleasantly surprised I bought a second bottle. And while I did use the rosemary oil in conjunction with this shampoo, what made me a believer was how much thicker my hair felt, after just a few weeks. What makes this shampoo effective is its trifecta of hair growth ingredients: Biotin, saw palmetto, and pumpkin seed oil. Biotin, while it can be found in nearly every hair growth product, its not as well backed up with clinical trials as minoxidil or rosemary oil, but that said, a few studies have found biotin to promote significant hair growth in people, hence it being so prevalent in hair and nail growth topicals and supplements. Saw palmetto has been found in clinical studies to reduce hair shedding and improve growth as well as improve scalp health. I can attest to all of this and now use Hers Triple Threat shampoo every few shampoos to maintain scalp health.

Cost: $88 or $75 with a subscription | Type of Product: Serum | Best for: Hair thinning and shedding | Key Ingredients: Proprietary blend

Even though Harklinikken's award-winning Hair Gain Extract is pricey, each bottle is customized specifically for you. In order to get your hands on a bottle of this serum, you'll start by filling out a brief questionnaire on the Harklinikken website that covers your hair type, hair thinning and shedding concerns, current and past medical conditions, diet and exercise, and any past procedures, illnesses or stressful life events that could have lead to your thinning or loss. After completing the survey, a tailored hair treatment regime is created that includes product recommendations for the serum, shampoo and conditioner (optional) that will improve the condition of your scalp, strengthen the hair at the roots, re-engage hair follicles, stimulate regrowth, and prevent future hair loss. 

Harklinikken comes highly recommended by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Glenn Vallecillos. "In our practice, we have seen great success with the Harklinikken line, which addresses specific types of hair loss by offering customized, targeted and responsive treatments, based on the patient's unique history, scalp profile and hair loss circumstances."

You can purchase one bottle at a time for $88 or opt into auto-replenish and save 15% off the retail price ($74.80).

Cost: $64 | Product type: Serum | Best for: Hair thinning and shedding | Key ingredients: Curcumin stem cell extract, red clover, mung bean

One of the most common forms of hair loss for women is female patterned hair loss, marked by a slow decrease of hair density on the scalp. According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jodi LoGerfo, about 50% of women will experience this at some point. “This slow and steady loss of hair is caused by the action of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT),” she explained.

Vegamour’s GRO Hair Serum is a game-changer for thinning hair. Its plant-based formula prioritizes natural ingredients for major results. Curcumin stem cell extract, also known as turmeric and red clover come together to block DHT production. Mung bean is another important ingredient on the roster because it contains copper. Copper strengthens the hair follicle, which in turn decreases shedding.

According to the company’s study, 52% of clinical trial participants saw more density and 76% saw less shedding. You can count on seeing results within three months and can expect to see maximum results after four months. One bottle costs $64 and lasts about a month. If you’re hoping to cut costs, you can subscribe and receive the product once a month for a 23% discount.

Product type: Supplements | Best for: Promoting hair growth and density | Key Ingredients: Ashwagandha, collagen peptides, maca, saw palmetto, antioxidants, horsetail | Cost: $88 at Nutrafol; $79 for monthly deliveries; $224 for three month supply

Nutritional supplements work internally to support hair cell production. Nutrafol is a natural, physician-formulated supplement that promotes hair growth and overall wellness. The products use a blend of vitamins, minerals, botanicals and antioxidants to tackle the six root causes of hair loss: hormones, stress, lifestyle, metabolism, nutrition and aging. There's also a mix of DHT blockers, including curcumin, saw palmetto, resveratrol and horsetail to help reduce thinning and hair loss. Other science-backed ingredients, such as ashwagandha, marine collagen peptides and keratin (the primary protein in hair), are included as a way to strengthen hair follicles and encourage growth.

We especially love that the company has made research a priority. In a clinical trial, women taking Nutrafol supplements had longer, thicker hair after six months and improvements in overall hair growth, volume and color. Many of the participants reported improvements in other aspects of their well-being, including stress levels, anxiety, sleep quality and skin health.

Cost: $88 | Product type: Supplements | Best for: Thinning and hair loss | Key ingredients: Saw Palmetto, biotin, vitamins A, C, D; ashwagandha exomes, Irish moss peptides, pea sprout extract 

While minoxidil is considered a gold standard in hair growth products, it might not be for everyone. Another effective option is Nutrafol's all-natural approach to hair regrowth: supplements and a topical serum. The supplements work from the inside out to promote cell turnover and healthy cell production, while the serum nourishes the scalp and hair follicles to create an optimal environment for hair regrowth. The ingredients in both products are all-natural yet proven effective for improving hair density and growth, including some ingredients like the hard-to-pronounce ashwagandha exosomes, Irish moss peptides, pea sprout extract, biotin, and the real star here for men: saw-palmetto, which in addition to being effective for hair growth, it has also been found in clinical studies to be beneficial for men's prostate and urinary tract health.

Cost: $600 (Money back guarantee) Product type: Laser cap | Best for: Reversing thinning and growth from the hairline to the crown 

The iRestore Essential Laser Hair Growth System employs an FDA-approved treatment for hair growth: low‐level light therapy. The laser cap promotes blood flow and new cell growth by stimulating mitochondria and promoting protein synthesis. Low‐level light therapy has been found in clinical studies to help encourage hair growth over time with regular use — every other day for six months. In an iRestore independent lab study, there was an average hair count boost of 43.2% over four months in all of its participants - which is likely why the company offers a full money-back guarantee.

Light therapy is ideal for those who prefer non‐invasive hair growth options and want to avoid the ongoing expense of hair growth products; the laser cap requires a one-time purchase only. All you need to do is wear the laser cap for 25-minute intervals every other day. You can use it with other hair growth treatments, and the best part is the company will give you your money back if you don't notice results within six months.